Peru

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Early Arrival:
I caught the coach to Cuzco, and I knew it arrived early, but not at 04:40! I caught a taxi into town and knocked on the door of my Hostel with more hope than expectation. I was about to move on when I heard the bolt move on the Judas Gate, and more amazingly my name being called! Booking ahead does have it's advantages!

You mention Peru and the two things that come to mind are Machu Picchu and Paddington Bear's Aunt Lucy.

Now both of those things are true, but there's a lot more to see.. I crossed the border from Chile by train, and experienced the most low key and friendliest border crossing ever. I stepped off the train, and joined a small queue waiting at a turnstyle. One by one we filed through into a wonderful brightly painted wooden building with a tin roof, and were confronted by an immigration lady sitting behind a wooden desk. A big smile, and a view stamps of her stamp in the passport got me into Peru. On the next table over were the money changers, three lady's all with big smiles. After them were the politest taxi drivers. 2 Sols to the bus station, bargain!

Immigration into Peru

I found myself in Arequipa, a very pretty city, and took a tour to Colca Canyon. For $40 I got a tour which included mini bus out to a little village called Yanque, lunch supper and breakfast, a trip out to the Canyon to see the Condors and a mini bus back into Arequipa. I stayed in a great little B&B with fantastic food, great location and a fabulous feel, the best $40 I've ever spent!

Of course no trip to Peru would be complete without a visit to Machu Picchu, and so I found my way to Cuzco, and then on the train to Aguas Calientes. I was lucky to experience Machu Picchu with very few tourists, and took the opportunity to visit the site twice, once on my arrival in Aguas Calientes, and early the next morning. It was at that point I climbed Huayna Picchu and got a number of good photos looking back